Panzer 25 Assault Badge by Gustav Brehmer

A very good example of the 25 Panzer Assault Badge by the maker Gustav Brehmer and constructed in a two part zinc with the maker’s initials shown in relief on the reverse of the tank.

I believe this is the silver version awarded to tank crews rather than the bronze version which was reserved for Panzer Grenadiers and mechanised units but as is so often the case, the silver wash has now been totally absorbed by the zinc. The tablet at the base of the wreath which encompasses the 25 retains its original golden appearance.

The pin set up is correct for Gustav Brehmer with the barrel hinge on a rectangular base and the circular pin hook base a known variant for this maker and shown in the book on these badges by Philippe de Bock.

Overall condition is very good.

The numbered grades used the same design pattern as the standard version.  However, these grades of the Panzer Assault Badge have more enhanced features such as enlarged tank rolling over logs, wreath, and eagle, plus of course the addition of a number box at the bottom of the wreath to denote grade. 

 The Numbered Panzer Assault Badge was instituted on June 22, 1943.  The instituting of the new grades of the Panzer Assault Badge was in a direct response to the increasing number of soldiers which had continued to tally “combat days” after they had met the initial requirements of the standard version.  The different grades created by the German High Command were “25”, “50”, “75”, & “100”.  The requirements for the Numbered Panzer Assault Badge was very similar to the standard version except the number of combat days required corresponded to the number of the award.  For example, the Panzer Assault Badge with a “25” box would have required the soldier to have 25 combat assaults on 25 different days. Many soldiers in the German Army did not live to see the required “combat days” for the higher grades, most specifically the “75” & “100” grades.  

A rare Badge